Venezuela has suspended all flights from Colombia with immediate effect, following the arrest of 38 individuals accused of participating in an alleged plot against the government — just days before the country’s regional and parliamentary elections.
According to Telesur, President Nicolás Maduro claimed that the plot involves elements of the Albanian mafia. These statements were made during a live broadcast meeting with military and security officials.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that the flight suspension will remain in place beyond May 25, the date Venezuelans are set to vote. He stated that among the detainees — 21 Venezuelans and 17 foreigners from countries including Colombia, Mexico, and Ukraine — some are experts in explosives, human trafficking, and mercenary activities, allegedly linked to opposition groups.
Maduro further claimed that the conspiracy includes an international criminal network involving the “Albanian drug mafia in Latin America”, which, he says, collaborates with opposition forces to destabilize the country and disrupt the electoral process.
“This international criminal network, including the Albanian drug mafia in Latin America, has collaborated with opposition elements to destabilize Venezuela and undermine the electoral process,” Maduro stated.
However, Venezuelan authorities have not presented any concrete evidence to support these claims. Human rights organizations have raised serious concerns that such accusations may be used as a tool for suppressing political dissent.
